Wearable device having feedback characteristics

• US 9,101,323 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2014
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Ossur hf
• Inventors: Einarsson, Palmi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nia, Alireza
• Assistant Examiner(s): NELSON, KERI JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US14/166,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20140194781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 602/2, 602/23, 602/26, 602 60- 62, 600/386, 600388-390, 482 5- 8, 601/5, 601/33, 601/34, 73/13.7, 73/13.8, 73/17.5, 73/17.9, 738/654, 473/207, 473/215, 473/216, 473/266, 473/277, 335/11, 335/12, 2 7/81, 2 7/9, 222/7, 240/0, 2DI/G 3, 623/24, 623/44
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1281 with incorporated means for medical monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6812 Orthopaedic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7615 Measuring means for implanting artificial joints A61F2/4657
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0132 Additional features of the articulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0155 with actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0158 with locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0165 with limits of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0181 Protectors for articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0188 : having pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 : Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0102 : specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0123 : for the knees A61F5/0106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0193 : Apparatus specially adapted for treating hip dislocation; Abduction splints
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 : of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance

Abstract

A wearable device having feedback characteristics including a compliant article arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer and for providing a user with information regarding range of motion parameters of a joint and/or to condition users to maintain proper joint orientations. Sensors provided with the wearable device detect the orientation of the joint and send signals to a processor for analysis. When the processor determines that the joint is outside of predefined range of motion parameters or in an unsafe or potentially injurious configuration, a feedback or response mechanism is activated to alert the user to such a condition or to provide substantially rigid structural support to the joint. The sensors, processor, and feedback mechanisms can be provided in a monitoring and control package along a side of the compliant article.

Claims

1. A wearable device having feedback characteristics comprising:

a compliant article arranged to extend over and conform to an anatomical joint of a wearer, the compliant article comprising a variably rotatable portion corresponding to a natural joint of the wearer;

a monitoring and control package mounted to the compliant article;

at least one sensor member arranged on or within the compliant article and configured to detect at least a joint angle of the wearer; and

at least one feedback element arranged on or within the monitoring and control package and having at least a first configuration and a second configuration;

wherein, the first configuration is compliant and the second configuration provides increased rigidity to the variably rotatable portion to prevent undesired rotations of the joint;

wherein, the feedback element remains in the first configuration when the detected joint angle is within a predefined range of motion; and

wherein, the feedback element achieves the second configuration when the detected joint angle is outside of the predefined range of motion, to prevent injury.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor member comprises an accelerometer and/or an inclinometer.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compliant article includes serrated ridges to enhance flexibility.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor member comprises two sensor members respectively positioned in proximal and distal portions of the monitoring and control package.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring and control package includes a processor for analyzing signals provided by the at least one sensor member and for controlling the at least one feedback element.

6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a remote programming and control module configured to communicate with and program the processor of the monitoring and control package.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the detected joint angle is compared with the predefined range of motion and the remote programming and control module programs the processor of the monitoring and control package with predefined ranges of motion that progress over a given time period.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein an additional feedback element is at least one graphical display shown on a screen of the remote programming and control module.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one graphical display includes a graphical representation of the at least one range of motion and a textual display indicating the range of motion.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feedback element comprises a display positioned on the monitoring and control package.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feedback element comprises a light emitting diode positioned on the monitoring and control package.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second configuration of the at least one feedback element is rigid.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor member is configured to detect a change of angle of 5 degrees.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring and control package is configured to allow a user to adjust the range of motion.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor member is configured to detect the joint angle of the wearer about multiple axes of rotation.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the joint angle is a knee angle.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring and control package can be locked from access by the wearer.

18. A wearable device having feedback comprising:

a compliant article configured to conform to an anatomy along a joint of a wearer, the compliant article including a proximal strap and a distal strap, the compliant article comprising a variably rotatable portion corresponding to a natural joint of the wearer;

a monitoring and control package;

at least one sensor member arranged on or within the compliant article and configured to detect at least a joint angle of the wearer; and

at least one feedback element arranged on or within the proximal portion of the monitoring and control package and having at least a first configuration and a second configuration;

wherein, the first configuration is compliant and the second configuration provides increased rigidity to the variably rotatable portion to prevent undesired rotations of the joint;

wherein, the feedback element remains in the first configuration when the detected joint angle is within a predefined range of motion; and

wherein, the feedback element achieves the second configuration when the detected joint angle is outside of the predefined range of motion.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the sensor member is configured to detect a change of angle of 5 degrees and the second configuration is rigid.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein the monitoring and control package is configured to allow a user to adjust the predefined range of motion.

21. The device according to claim 18, wherein the sensor member is configured to detect the joint angle of the wearer about multiple axes of rotation.

22. The device according to claim 18, wherein the joint angle is a knee angle.

23. The device according to claim 18, wherein the monitoring and control package can be locked from access by the wearer.